Abstract
BackgroundResearch indicated the prevalence of perinatal deaths of infants immediately or up to a week after birth and includes fresh and macerated stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Worldwide, there is a decline in perinatal deaths. However, in South Africa, it is not the case. Often the quality of maternity care is considered as the most important contributing factor for these deaths. However, maternal and neonatal factors can also contribute.AimThe aim of the study was to determine the maternal and neonatal factors associated with perinatal deaths in a single selected district hospital within the Free State Province of South Africa.SettingThe maternity unit of the largest district hospital in the specific district in the Free State Province of South Africa.MethodA clinical audit design was used. Units of analysis comprised the Perinatal Problem Identification Programme (PPIP) database of neonates born during 2015, and their mothers. A random sample of 384 alive neonates and an all-inclusive sample of 43 deceased neonates were taken from a total of 2319. Descriptive statistics were reported and Cohen’s effect sizes, d, were calculated to identify practically significant differences between the neonates in the alive and the deceased group, respectively.ResultsCohen’s effect sizes and logistical regression analyses indicate that the Apgar score recorded 10 min after birth, gestational age, birth weight of neonate and the parity of the mother were the most practically significant factors influencing a neonate’s chances of survival.ConclusionQuality maternity care is not the only cause of perinatal mortality rates; maternal and neonatal factors are also contributors.
Highlights
Perinatal mortality refers to the stillbirth or neonatal death of an infant immediately and up to 1 week after birth
The present study focused on stillbirths and early neonatal deaths
The following section discusses the demographic profiles of the entire population of mothers and neonates and thereafter focuses on both deceased neonates as such and their mothers, retrospectively
Summary
Perinatal mortality refers to the stillbirth or neonatal death of an infant immediately and up to 1 week after birth. Neonatal deaths are categorised in terms of early deaths, occurring within 5 days, or late deaths that take place within 28 days after birth. A fresh stillbirth implies that death occurred within 8 to 24 h prior to delivery (Tesfalul et al 2020), whereas in a macerated stillbirth, the foetus had been retained for 6–12 h before birth (Mengesha & Dangisso 2020). Research indicated the prevalence of perinatal deaths of infants immediately or up to a week after birth and includes fresh and macerated stillbirths and neonatal deaths.
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